U.S. patent number 6,572,077 [Application Number 09/719,139] was granted by the patent office on 2003-06-03 for double safety magnetic valve.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Karl Dungs GmbH & Co.. Invention is credited to Jurgen Worner.
United States Patent |
6,572,077 |
Worner |
June 3, 2003 |
Double safety magnetic valve
Abstract
A double safety magnetic valve with two valves being
accommodated in a housing, both axially displaceable valve disks
thereof are disposed coaxially to, one another and each lifts from
its respective valve seat through an axial movement in opening
direction against the spring pressure of a first and second closing
spring respectively, wherein the second, in flow direction of the
double safety magnetic valve inner valve disk comprises as
adjustment element a magnetic armature and the first, i.e. outer
valve disk is motion-coupled with the inner valve disk in opening
direction.
Inventors: |
Worner; Jurgen (Weitmars,
DE) |
Assignee: |
Karl Dungs GmbH & Co.
(Urbach, DE)
|
Family
ID: |
7870609 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/719,139 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2000 |
PCT
Filed: |
June 05, 1999 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/DE99/01648 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO99/64770 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
December 16, 1999 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jun 12, 1998 [DE] |
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198 26 076 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
251/129.18;
251/129.19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K
1/443 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16K
1/44 (20060101); F16K 1/32 (20060101); F16K
031/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;251/129.15,129.18,129.19,129.2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
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5246199 |
September 1993 |
Nuomoto et al. |
5579741 |
December 1996 |
Cook et al. |
|
Foreign Patent Documents
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366 803 |
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May 1982 |
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AT |
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25 10 788 |
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Sep 1976 |
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DE |
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195 25 384 |
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Jan 1997 |
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DE |
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58-134284 |
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Aug 1983 |
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JP |
|
WO 96/34219 |
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Oct 1996 |
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WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Yuen; Henry C.
Assistant Examiner: Bastianelli; John
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Reed Smith LLP
Claims
I claim:
1. A double safety magnetic valve comprising: a housing: first and
second valves both being accommodated in said housing, where said
first and second valves further include first and second
corresponding axially displaceable valve disks which are disposed
coaxially to one another and each lifts from its respective valve
seat through an axial movement in the opening direction against the
spring pressure of a first and second closing spring respectively,
wherein: the first valve disk being the first one in flow direction
of the double safety magnetic valve surrounds the second valve disk
and both their valve seats are combined to a single common valve
seat, which surrounds the only valve opening, and the second
closing spring of the second valve disk is supported on the first
valve disk or on an actuator element that axially moves the first
valve disk, the surface of the common valve seat between the first
and second valve disks being flat; the second valve disk further
comprises a magnetic armature and the first valve disk is
motion-coupled with the second valve disk in the opening direction,
wherein the magnetic armature is coupled to axially move the second
valve disk in the closing direction independent of the first valve
disk.
2. The double safety magnetic valve according to claim 1, wherein a
common flat bearing surface for both valve disks is provided on the
common valve seat.
3. The double safety magnetic valve according to claim 1, wherein
two axially off-set bearing surfaces are provided on the common
valve seat for one valve disk respectively.
4. The double safety magnetic valve according to claim 1, wherein
for a flat bearing surface an elastomer sealing means of the valve
disk cooperating with said flat bearing surface is pointed or for a
pointed bearing surface a sealing means of the valve disk
cooperating with said pointed bearing surface is flat.
5. The double safety magnetic valve according to claim 1, wherein a
bearing surface for a regulator element of a flow regulator, with
the regulator element being axially moveable in the valve opening,
is also provided on the common valve seat.
6. The double safety magnetic valve according to claim 1, wherein a
bearing or regulator surface for a regulator element provided
upstream in front of the two valve disks is provided on the common
valve seat.
7. The double safety valve according to claim 1, wherein a sealing
check opening is provided on the common valve seat, which opens
into the space between the two valve disks.
8. The double safety magnetic valve according to claim 1, wherein
at least one of the second valve disk and the magnetic armature is
guided axially displaceably within the first valve disk or the
actuator element or within a guide element of the first valve
disk.
9. The double safety magnetic valve according to claim 1, wherein
the first valve disk or the actuator element engages behind the
magnetic armature in the opening direction.
10. The double safety magnetic valve according to claim 1, wherein
the second closing spring is supported on a peripheral shoulder of
the actuator element of the first valve disk.
11. The double safety magnetic valve according to claim 1, wherein
the second closing spring is supported on a base of the actuator
element of the first valve disk.
12. The double safety magnetic valve according to claim 11, wherein
the second closing spring is disposed in an opening of the magnetic
armature which opening is open in opening direction.
13. The double safety magnetic valve according to claim 1, wherein
the housing of the two valves is designed as extruded profile or as
diecast part.
14. A double safety magnetic valve comprising: a magnetic armature;
a housing; first and second valves disposed in said housing and
including first and second corresponding axially displaceable valve
disks disposed coaxially to one another, the first valve disk
surrounding the second valve disk; a single valve seat common to
both the first and second valve disks and surrounding the only
valve opening, each valve disk lifting from the single valve seat
through an axial movement in the opening direction against the
spring pressure of a first and second closing spring respectively;
wherein: the magnetic armature is coupled to axially move the
second valve disk in the closing direction independent of the first
valve disk whereby the second valve disk closes even when the first
valve disk fails to close with the second valve disk; the first
valve disk is motion coupled with the second valve disk in the
opening direction; and the second valve disk is supported on the
first valve disk or on an actuator element that actuates the first
valve disk.
15. A double safety magnetic valve comprising: a magnetic armature;
a housing; first and second valves disposed in said housing and
including first and second corresponding axially displaceable valve
disks disposed coaxially to one another, the first valve disk
surrounding the second valve disk; a single valve seat common to
both the first and second valve disks and surrounding the only
valve opening, each valve disk lifting from the single valve seat
through an axial movement in the opening direction against the
spring pressure of a first and second closing spring respectively;
wherein: the single valve seat has a flat surface and each valve
disk has an annular pointed portion that abuts the flat surface of
the single valve seat; the magnetic armature is coupled to axially
move the second valve disk; the first valve disk is motion coupled
with the second valve disk in the opening direction; and the second
valve disk is supported on the first valve disk or on an actuator
element that actuates the first valve disk.
16. A double safety magnetic valve comprising: a magnetic armature;
a housing; first and second valves disposed in said housing and
including first and second corresponding axially displaceable valve
disks disposed coaxially to one another, the first valve disk
surrounding the second valve disk; a single valve seat common to
both the first and second valve disks and surrounding the only
valve opening, each valve disk lifting from the single valve seat
through an axial movement in the opening direction against the
spring pressure of a first and second closing spring respectively;
wherein: the surface of the single valve seat has a flat annular
portion and at least one of the first and second valve disks has a
pointed annular surface that abuts the flat annular portion of the
single valve seat; the magnetic armature is coupled to axially move
the second valve disk; the first valve disk is motion coupled with
the second valve disk in the opening direction; and the second
valve disk is supported on the first valve disk or on an actuator
element that actuates the first valve disk.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to a double safety
magnetic valve and more particularly to a double safety magnetic
valve with two valves being accommodated in a housing.
2. Description of Background of the Invention
A double safety magnetic valve of this kind became known, for
example, by the DE 195 25 384 A1. Such double safety magnetic
valves are used in particular as safety magnetic valves on the gas
input side of gas heat generators.
In the double safety magnetic valve known from the DE 195 25 384 A1
the two valve disks are disposed axially on top of one another in a
housing and each cooperates with its own valve seat. The valve
disks are each part of two adjustment elements independent of each
other, the second of which is guided axially displaceably in the
first. Both adjustment elements are opened by a common magnetic
drive each against the action of a closing spring, wherein the two
closing springs perform the closing stroke of both valve disks
completely independent of one another when the magnet is switched
off. Thus the safety requirements for gas safety valves can be
met.
Although a compact construction has been enabled with the known
double safety magnetic valves and thus on one hand a space-saving
and on the other hand substantially cheaper producable unit, the
axial overall height is still relatively large due to the valve
disks and adjustment elements which are axially displaceable as
well as disposed behind one another. Due to the ever increasing
miniaturization, generally a further reduction of dimensions of the
known double safety magnetic valve and in particular of its axial
height is aimed at. Furthermore, mounting of the known double
safety magnetic valve is very difficult since the valve disk, being
the second one in flow direction of the double safety magnetic
valve, must be threaded through the valve opening of the first
valve disk.
It is hence the object of the invention to design a double safety
magnetic valve of the aforementioned type even more compact in
axial direction (opening direction).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention this object is solved in a manner which
is equally surprisingly simple and effective in that the outer
(first) valve disk, being the first one in flow direction of the
double safety magnetic valve, surrounds the inner (second) valve
disk and both their valve seats are combined to a common valve
seat, which surrounds the only valve opening, and the second
(inner) closing spring of the inner (second) valve disk is
supported on the outer (first) valve disk or on an adjustment
element thereof.
In contrast to the double safety magnetic valve known from the DE
195 25 384 A1, two valve seats do not have to be machined with high
expenditure of time and labor, but only one single valve seat.
Mounting of the device becomes easier since the parts do not have
to be brought near to two seats and a smaller device can be more
easily handled. The inventive double safety magnetic valve can be
produced cheaper since less machining occurs and the dimensions
become smaller. In addition to the axial overall height being
drastically reduced, the flow values through the inventive double
safety magnetic valve (multi-functional armature) become comparable
to those of a single seat valve due to the inventive reduction of
both valve functions to a common seat. The inventive double safety
magnetic valve can be extended to all sizes and all kinds of
valves, hence with the same housing a series with several variants
can be realized, for example, single magnetic valve, double
magnetic valve, or multi-functional valve with various
regulators.
The inner (second) closing spring of the inner (second) valve disk
is supported on the outer (first) valve disk or on the adjustment
element thereof, for example on a peripheral shoulder or on the
base of the adjustment element of the outer (first) valve disk. The
inner (second) closing spring can, for example, be disposed between
the two adjustment elements, perferably in an annular gap or in an
opening of the inner magnetic armature open in opening
direction.
Naturally, the invention is not limited to two valves or valve
disks, but can be used also for three or more valve disks disposed
coaxially, which are nested into one another.
In an advantageous development of this embodiment a common flat
bearing surface for both valve disks is provided on the common
valve seat. This measure has the advantage that both valve seats
can be produced in a single process by machining of the common, in
particular flat bearing surface or bearing surface without
steps.
In an alternative development two axially off-set bearing surfaces
can be provided on the common valve seat for one valve disk
respectively. For example, both valve seats can be constructed on
different planes on the common valve seat.
For an optimal sealing effect, for a flat bearing surface an
elastomer sealing means of the valve disk cooperating with said
flat bearing surface is pointed or for a pointed bearing surface a
sealing means of the valve disk cooperating with said pointed
bearing surface is flat. All variants of the seat arrangement are
possible, for example both pointed, both flat, both on the same
axial height, both axially off-set to one another, each also vice
versa, etc.
Further, particularly preferred are such developments of the double
safety magnetic valve where a bearing surface for an adjustment
element (regulator element) of a flow regulator, with the
adjustment element being axially moveable in the valve opening, is
also provided on the common valve seat. This measure has the
advantage that three functions (two valves and one flow regulation)
are brought together on one seat. The closed position of the
adjustment element in the valve opening can be exactly defined by
bearing on the common valve seat. The adjustment element can for
example be a rod, the free diskshaped end of which extending into
the valve opening bears all around on the common valve seat in the
closed position.
In an alternative development a bearing or regulator surface for an
adjustment element provided upstream in front of the two valve
disks or valves can be provided on the common valve seat. In
particular if the adjustment element engages over both valve disks
in a pot-shaped manner, they are additionally covered by the
adjustment element.
In order to be able to check the tightness of the inventive double
safety magnetic valve a sealing check opening is provided on the
common valve seat, which opens into the space between the two valve
disks.
A separate guide of the inner valve disk or its adjustment disk can
be dispensed with if the inner valve disk or the magnetic armature
is guided axially displaceably within the outer valve disk or its
adjustment element or within a guide element of the outer valve
disk.
It is particularly advantageous, if the outer valve disk is
motion-coupled with the inner valve disk in opening direction.
Thus, the outer valve disk is also lifted from the common valve
seat at the same time with the inner valve disk. In closing
direction, however, both valves are not motion-coupled, for them to
be able to perform their closing lift completely independent from
one another.
In a development of this embodiment the outer valve disk or the
adjustment element thereof can engage behind the magnetic armature
in opening direction.
In order to be able to produce the double safety magnetic valve
with particularly low production costs, the housing of the two
valves is designed preferably as extruded profile or as a diecast
part. For such extruded profiles it is also possible to laterally
attach the sealing control required for gas safety valves.
Additional advantages of the invention can be gathered from the
description and the drawing. Also, the previously mentioned and the
following characteristics can be used according to the invention
each individually or collectively in any combination. The
embodiments shown and described are not to be taken as a conclusive
enumeration, but have exemplary character for the description of
the invention.
The invention is shown in the drawing and is more closely described
by means of embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the inventive double safety
magnetic valve in a longitudinal section;
FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the double safety magnetic valve
of FIG. 1 in the region of its valve opening according to cut II;
and
FIG. 3 shows in an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 2 a second
embodiment of the inventive double safety magnetic valve, wherein
the inner (second) closing spring is supported on the base of the
outer (first) adjustment element.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In FIG. 1 a double safety magnetic valve is denoted with 1, the two
valves 2 and 3 thereof, which are circuited in series, are
accommodated in a common housing 4. This housing 4 is partitioned
by a valve opening 5 into a gas entry space 6 and a gas exit space
7, wherein the valve opening 5 is surrounded by a valve seat 8.
The first (outer) valve 2 on the input side, i.e., the first one in
flow direction of the double safety magnetic valve 1, consists of
an annular first (outer) valve disk 9, an adjustment (actuator)
element (hollow armature or bushing) 10 connected to the valve disk
9 and a first (outer) closing spring 11. The second (inner) valve 3
on the output side consists of an annular second (inner) valve disk
12, a magnetic armature 13 connected to this valve disk 12 and a
second (inner) closing spring 14.
The two valves 2,3 and their respective valve disks 9,12 are
disposed coaxially to one another with respect to a common axis 15,
wherein the outer (first) valve disk 9 annularly surrounds the
inner (second) valve disk 12. The valve seat 8 serves with its
bearing surface 8a (FIG. 2) as common valve seat for both valve
disks 9,12, which each lift by an axial movement in opening
direction 16 from the common valve seat 8. A common magnetic drive
17 with a magnetic coil 18 and a guide opening 19, in which the
adjustment (actuator) element 10 is guided axially displaceably,
serves for opening the two valves 2,3. The magnetic armature 13 is
itself guided axially displaceably in the adjustment (actuator)
element 10, wherein the adjustment (actuator) element 10, which is
designed pot-shaped, engages behind the magnetic armature 13 in
opening direction 16 and is thus motion-coupled with the magnetic
armature 13 in opening direction 16.
The outer closing spring 11 is supported on the housing 4, whereas
the inner closing spring 14 is supported inside the adjustment
element 10 on a peripheral shoulder 20. In the shown closed state
of the double safety magnetic valve 1, the outer closing spring 11
therefore supplies the force for closing both valve disks 9,12 or
both valves 2,3. Both valves because the inner closing spring 14
supports itself against the outer closing spring 11 which is thus
relieved.
Magnetic force lines emerge when the magnetic coil 18 is excited,
which attract the magnetic armature 13 together with the inner
valve disk 12 in opening direction 16. Due to the motion-coupling,
the outer valve disk 9 is also lifted from the common valve seat 8
at the same time with the inner valve disk 12. After switching off
the magnetic coil 18 the closing springs 11, 14 effect for each
valve 2,3 a closing independent from one another. The force of the
inner closing spring 14 closes the inner valve disk 12 or the inner
valve 3.
In case the outer valve 2 does not close, for example because the
adjustment element 10 is jammed in the guide opening 19, the inner
closing spring 14 is dimensioned such that nevertheless enough
force is present for closing the inner valve disk 12 or the inner
valve 3 in this case as well. This means that the inner valve 3
closes if the outer valve 2 closes (lift of the inner valve disk 12
relative to the outer valve disk 9: 1 mm) and if the outer valve 2
does not close due to malfunctioning (lift of the inner valve disk
12 relative to the outer valve disk 9: nominal lift+1 mm). For
opening of both valves 2,3 a stronger magnet is not necessary
compared with known double safety magnetic valves having valves
disposed axially behind one another, despite the stronger outer
closing spring 11, since the outer closing spring 11, as described
above, is relieved by the inner closing spring 14.
In order to control the flow through the valve opening 5, an
adjustment element (regulator element) 21 which is Y-shaped in
cross-section is provided which engages through the valve opening 5
and which is axially displaceable. The adjustment element
(regulator element) 21 is adjusted by means of a flow regulator 22
known per se according to an output pressure desired in the gas
exit space 7. In its closed position shown in FIG. 2, the
adjustment element (regulator element) 21 also bears on the flat
bearing surface 8a of the common valve seat 8 with its free
disk-shaped end, wherein the diameter of the disk-shaped end is
larger than the diameter of the valve opening 5.
In contrast to this first embodiment, in the double safety magnetic
valve 101 shown in FIG. 3 the inner closing spring 114 is
accommodated within the opening (blind bore) 123 in the magnetic
armature 113 and supports itself at one end on the magnetic
armature 113 and on the other end on the base 124 of the pot-shaped
adjustment element 110. This arrangement allows many possibilities
for the spring dimensioning. The advantage of the dependently
supported closing springs 111 and 114 consists in that in case of
jamming of the magnetic armature 113 in the adjustment element 110,
the strong outer closing spring 111, which so far stored the
closing force for both valve disks 109, 112, closes the remaining
intact outer valve disk 109.
In this embodiment, the common valve seat 108 does not comprise a
common flat bearing surface for both valve disks 109 and 112, but
the two bearing surfaces 108a and 108b are disposed axially off-set
to one another. The outer bearing surface 108a is pointed and the
elastomer sealing means of the outer valve disk 109 is flat. In
contrast, the inner bearing surface 108b, which at the same time
serves as bearing surface for the adjustment element 21, is flat
and the elastomer sealing means of the inner valve disk 112, which
cooperates with this bearing surface 108b, is pointed. Furthermore,
a sealing-check-opening 135 is provided on the common valve seat
108, which leads into the annular space between both valve disks
109,112, such that a sealing check of the double seat valve 101 is
possible.
It is of course to be understood that various changes may be made
to the embodiments of the double safety magnetic valve described
above without departing from the scope of the invention. Additional
advantages and modifications which will readily occur to those
skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and
practice of the invention are intended to be within the scope and
spirit of the following invention.
* * * * *